The face to face contact is essential because the "psychic" relies on subtle (and not so subtle) facial and body language "tells" by the subject to guide the reading narrative. Psychics do have powers...powers of observation and human intuition that they share with other professional con artists.

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Kevin(ahcc20)...I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

Actually, I think that some psychics might pass the test as it is possible that there are effects going on which current science either can't or won't consider. I don't think these effects are relevant to audio, though. Most psychics work in the way the sceptics assume.

I was just amused by the classic excuses which get trotted out when an ability which helps someone earn a living disappears when tested. It only seems to be certain abilities which disappear: people can do maths/surgery/driving/flying under pressure yet hearing (audible and psychic) seems to require vision too.

Ordinary people use cold reading, too, BTW, whether they realize it or not. I personally don't dismiss it (parapsychology) totally, but I take it seriously enough that I don't grant much time to the nonsense. Of which there is plenty. So just almost totally.

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It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from enquiry. - Thomas Paine

If you don't have a copy of James Randi's "Flim Flam," run right out etc. Cold reading (and sometimes not-so-cold reading) is an ancient art, yet can be extremely impressive to people not versed in mentalism.

“Cold reading” is all around us, every minute, everywhere. We are “readers” and “sitters” intentionally or unintentionally. Once we understand this, we may turn into skeptics or cynics.

I try to cool down, keep a distance from the rational part of me and enjoy the ride.

George

__________________["Second Law is a bitch." - SY] ["The Road To Heaven:Specify the performance & accept the design. The Road To Hell:Specify the design & accept the performance"-Bruno Putzeys]

Psychics do have powers...powers of observation and human intuition that they share with other professional con artists.

It's always a shame that people feel the need to become derogatory towards others who have a set of beliefs or an approach that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Most are not conning in the accepted sense, it is more the usual human story of ritual and habit overwhelming the elements which had the inital special qualities. A person has a "gift" in any area, it may be as simple as a distinctive singing voice. Only a relative few truly appreciate these special qualities when they are in full flower, this is when the true value of whatever is happening is at its height. Then they are "discovered", and the unravelling begins: the need is now for a show to always deliver, a push button capability for results becomes essential, and the integrity begins to seriously erode. In the final, sad episodes the abilities are largely absent but people flock to witness the "guru", paying huge sums to experience the person, just so they can tell their friends that they've done it ...

And so it goes, and has for thousands of years ... it is just the human way ...

No, he's derogatory toward psychics (who are total scumbag con-artists) not their victims (who are only guilty of gullibility and often desperation).

Unfortunately that is an example of how this type of conversation degenerates: it starts with the non-believers or sceptical nudging each other and rolling their eyes, then the jokes start coming, which evolve more and more into a fat man slipping on a banana skin variety, and finally raw anger enters the mix -- "how can such types of people be allowed to be in public ...!"

Con artists are con artists. I truly and honestly don't understand the mindset which feels it necessary to defend them, especially when the defender is clearly not a stupid person. Indeed, Dave is right- I see the same behavior from people in audio steadfastly defending the scammers.

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“The short explanation is always dull. It generally includes the word ‘just.’ The explanation only becomes beautiful when you immerse yourself in every nuance.”